Casa da Fernanda- Lugar de Corgo

[Vakond]

I have to say that we were sooo lucky to decide to stay with Fernanda and Jacinto!
Walking from Pedra Furada it takes 30 km.
They are the lovliest people and it was ever so nice to stay at their house. We spent a lovely evening together, Fernanda, who also works in Barcelos, cooked a lovely meal, we ate together, had nice chat and it was like HOME.

They are one of the nicest Portuguese couples and we would recommend to everyone to stay there!

On the top of that they don't ask for money, just some donation, what you can afford.
HOw nice is that??! Where can you find this kind of generosity nowdays?

We were lucky enough to find it!


K

 

[aym924]

I second this post. We stayed at Casa Fernanda in September 6?. Lovely family, providing a wonderful warm atmosphere, brilliant meal and conversation, all for a donation. The new facilities are good. We rang ahead to get a spot, but did not need to as there were only three of us staying.
Ashley

 

[famone]

Sounds Great, I've heard a Lot about the Casa Fernanda, but I didn't find it last Year when I was on the CP.
I'm Looking Forward to walk this Route again, spontaneously, can anybody Tell me where it is?


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[madda5000]

You can see where it is here:
http://www.urcamino.com/caminoportugues ... dafernanda

anyway, it is not so easy to find, it is a private house like many others, with a little sign near the gate with written "Casa Fernanda", on your left while you walk.

But... it is a real camino experience, I suggest everyone to stop there.
It is real hospitality like in the past: Fernanda opens her house to the pilgrims, like they were part of her family (there are husband and little daughter too) and she asks for a Donativo, you pay whatever you think is ok to have dinner, breakfast, sleep in a real bed with linen!!!!!
And be blessed with her love! To me this is... priceless!!!

I have just walked from Porto to Santiago and this is the only place where I got the Camino-Love-Feeling, whilst in the Camino Frances I could find it in some more places. (but no place like this, a person who hosts you in her house, no!!!)

Well done Fernanda!!!!

 

[Priscillian]

If anyone were to ask the Happy Heretic Sorority (I am the Founding and so far only member) for their opinion about who should be Canonised "Best Camino Saint", Fernanda would top the list. I love her so much I call her my Portuguese sister. We can't always communicate in words, but that doesn't matter. Fernanda (and I have already written about this simply extra-ordinary woman many times on this Forum) will make you feel like you are the only tired and disoriented pilgrim ever to crawl up her steps! She literally "found" me, looking actually for this "place I had found in my Spanish guidebook", exhausted, dehydrated and feeling more than a bit sorry for myself.
"Oh, that's my house," said this pixy-faced angel dressed in red, and taking my pack on her own shoulders led me to a table where I was given water, food, and a bathroom where I was - encouraged, instructed, virtually - though no-one would ever ascribe this word to Fernanda - ordered to put my filthy feet in her bidet and just...chill.
Have I said it already? I LOVE this woman. Fernanda is the inspiration for all of us, and so is her husband, optometrist Jacinto, who loves his free spirit of a wife so much that he doesn't care WHO is under his roof (or now, thanks to pilgrim donations out in his garden) that night. And their daughter, Mariana, who always brings out the CDs of Celine Dion and Abba and dances for me, and then her Mom Fernanda joins in, and sometimes even Jacinto, and then you just have to... I'm growing homesick as I write...!
If HEAVEN exists on this earth, it is at La Casa de Fernanda. Yes, it is a bit hard to find. From Barcelos, you will cross a road at exactly 22 klms: there is a marker. It is beside a little church. You keep going 2 maybe 3 klms. Just when you are about to give up there is a tiny hand-written (and often blocked by the bread truck) sign, on your left, maybe two houses in: I don't remember. If you miss it, ask. You will never again have an opportunity to enter Heaven in this life.
Tell them all I said Hi. Seriously...
Tracy Saunders and part of the family.
http://www.pilgrimagetoheresy.com
and especially see my blog about my first (5 times now) stay with Fernanda: scroll down as I can't get it right. Look for a picture of potatoes and just read around, up and down. You might find yourself reading quite a bit more. That's nice. I think this is it...http://pilgrimagetoheresy.blogspot.com/ ... -results=1
Don't forget to go back to the present day though.
Fernanda and many others have inspired me. I want to open my home too, but with a difference: have you ever felt reluctant to leave the Camino? Did the Camino Blues hit you when you got home? Immediately? Later? Please do check my most recent posts. I am trying (?) to buy a small house near Muxia with the intention of a/ living and writing and scrabbling for an income in it, and b/ opening it to pilgrims who have finished their Camino but aren't QUITE ready to go home yet. Am I nervous? Do I have doubts? You Betcha!!!.BUT, this has been my dream for 12 years now. I am a practising therapist and know where to help out and where to step back. But I REALLY NEED YOUR HELP! REALLY... The more interest I can show, the better chance I have of making this Field of Dreams a REALITY. Please:
http://www.pilgrimagetoheresy.blogspot.com
It'll take you 3 mins, is anonymous, and..well that's it really.,
Thanks Tracy, author of Peregrinos de la Herejia which if nothing else has got people talking!

 

[Priscillian]

P.S.Just to get it a bit straight. Fernanda doesn't "ask" for a donativo, although of course they have expenses. (Jacinto's homemade wine is worth it regardless...) Her philosophy is that those who can will and those who can't will benefit from those who will and can. The "Donation thing" (a cardboard wine container never left on the table unless a pilgrim does it),is actually rarely inspected and there hangs a tale.
Last year, I was having trouble. The debit card which should have money in it, didn't, and I didn't have a PIN number for the other (which didn't have much more - that's my life as a novelist! Dan Brown? Hah!!!) Getting gasoline was clearly going to be problematic. Fernanda didn't hesitate. Off the shelf came the cylinder, out came 50 euros (es sufficiente? She said, with more in hand...). Nothing was even said about repayment. I did, of course.
Sainthood...Santa Fernanda del Lugar del Corto...for what it is worth from the Happy Heretic, Tracy
She will always be that to me...
http://www.pilgrimagetoheresy.com
(and can't wait to be closer to my Portuguese family...!)

 

[Priscillian]

Deleted because Duplicated, but it would have been worth it! Walk the CP (lovely anyway and a great first Camino because not so many people and relatively flat) and go and see my Sister Fernanda. (Almost certainly, your sister too!)
TS

 

[Portia1]

We stayed here on our Camino. Absolutely delightful. THE highlight of our walk. When you see the Lugar sign--YOU ARE RIGHT THERE! There is a Casa Fernanda sign with two hiking boots slung around it.

 

[mikevasey]

 

[haitianevey]

Is there a phone number or email to contact Fernanda to reserve for a night?

Thanks!

 

[Priscillian]

I have 0035 191 458 9521 for Fernanda
Even if full, she'll drag a mattress out from somewhere!
Give them all my love!
http://www.pilgrimagetoheresy.blogspot.com

 

[louannross]

Fernanda and her husband are Camino Angels. We arrived late in the evening, had walked too far and were exhausted. The chalet was full and she had no beds left. She took pity on me and gave me and my husband HER BEDROOM!!! Really did! We ate the best meal, most of it was grown in her own garden. The homemade wine was delicious. She and Jacinto brought out the guitars and we sang and talked and laughed the rest of the night. It was one of the best nights of the Camino. I recommend that everyone stay there... there is nothing like it anywhere.!!!

 

[Stephen Nicholls]

This was the first albergue I ever stayed in. Fernanda insisted I slept in their spare bedroom with my own toilet. That was after we'd had supper. Then in the morning I shared a breakfast with them. I asked how much I owed. "Nothing!" said Fernanda, " Just make a donation if you wish..." Thinking of the private room and the two meals, I gave her 30 euros. "Much too much!" she said and gaved me back 10. That's the sort of people they are.
My only regret is that they didn't reply to several e-mails I subsequently sent ...
I never met anyone else quite like them ever again.

 

[camino-david]

I totally agree with all the above posts. I arrived there last June after 2 months of walking and Jacinta told me I looked tired and suggested I stay a little longer than one night and so I ended up helping them out as an accidental volunteer hospitalero for a few days. They are wonderful people. I celebrated my 82nd birthday there with a huge chocolate cake organised by Fernando and Jacinta and baked by a friendly neighbour, and big enough for 16 servings for breakfast (!) and another 16 for dinner.

 

[donnercruiser]

I stayed there a few days ago, absolutely warm and familiar, if you arrive she will recieve you with the words "miny house is youre house", same Jacinto, i´ll never forget,

 

[DaddyLonglegs]

Casa Fernanda is a heaven on the CP. I had stopped short three Kms with sore knees when a car pulled up at the crossroad, out got some Canadians being driven by the household head who had been disabled with tendonitis, and promptly put my backpack in the car to deliver me to the door as "it's on my way!" This angel then drove away, the window opened to welcome me in to a hot lunch because "it's that time of day", and that was my introduction to the living spirit of the Camino Portuguese. Thank you Fernanda and Jacinto and the beautiful Lara, your generosity of heart will remain forever in mine.

 

[Suzanne01]

Fernanda and her husband are Camino Angels. We arrived late in the evening, had walked too far and were exhausted. The chalet was full and she had no beds left. She took pity on me and gave me and my husband HER BEDROOM!!! Really did! We ate the best meal, most of it was grown in her own garden. The homemade wine was delicious. She and Jacinto brought out the guitars and we sang and talked and laughed the rest of the night. It was one of the best nights of the Camino. I recommend that everyone stay there... there is nothing like it anywhere.!!!

I told her exactly the same: that she is an Angel and gave my angel hanger as a small present.

 

[michryan]

Casa Fernanda is a heaven on the CP. I had stopped short three Kms with sore knees when a car pulled up at the crossroad, out got some Canadians being driven by the household head who had been disabled with tendonitis, and promptly put my backpack in the car to deliver me to the door as "it's on my way!" This angel then drove away, the window opened to welcome me in to a hot lunch because "it's that time of day", and that was my introduction to the living spirit of the Camino Portuguese. Thank you Fernanda and Jacinto and the beautiful Lara, your generosity of heart will remain forever in mine.

Same thing happened to me on the Del Norte route. Didn't know how I was to make it up the hill as I was in so much pain and out of no where a car stopped and I was escorted to the albergue. Angels were watching.

 

[Catharina56]

"From somebody's blog I took this picture that tells us that the owners of Casa da Fernanda are Jacinto and Mariana. I am almost sure that the mother who started this Casa was Fernanda" ... I have to make a correction though:
The owners of Casa da Fernanda are Fernanda herself and her husband Jacinto and their daughter is Mariana =)

 

[Catharina56]

I have to say that we were sooo lucky to decide to stay with Fernanda and Jacinto!
Walking from Pedra Furada it takes 30 km.
They are the lovliest people and it was ever so nice to stay at their house. We spent a lovely evening together, Fernanda, who also works in Barcelos, cooked a lovely meal, we ate together, had nice chat and it was like HOME.

They are one of the nicest Portuguese couples and we would recommend to everyone to stay there!

On the top of that they don't ask for money, just some donation, what you can afford.
HOw nice is that??! Where can you find this kind of generosity nowdays?

We were lucky enough to find it!


K[/QUOTE

From somebody's blog I took this picture that tells us that the actual owners of Casa da Fernanda are Jacinto and Mariana. I am almost sure that the mother was Fernanda who started up this great hospitality.

 

[tutinegra_pt]

Sounds Great, I've heard a Lot about the Casa Fernanda, but I didn't find it last Year when I was on the CP.
I'm Looking Forward to walk this Route again, spontaneously, can anybody Tell me where it is?


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Hello
This is exact location

lat 41.668194 long -8.624881

on google maps, or google earth, search for: 41.668194 -8.624881

Bom caminho

 

[Former member 22438]

Mariana is the daughter of Fernanda and Jacinto. I guess she is about 14 years old

 

[Former member 22438]

Hello
This is exact location

lat 41.668194 long -8.624881

on google maps, or google earth, search for: 41.668194 -8.624881

Bom caminho

It is on the caminhopath. Between Barcelos and Ponte de Lima. A sign points out to their gardengate which says lugar do corgo. It is a white house with a round extension, being the kitchen which is directly in front of you when you follow the the gardenpath.
In May past we visited them ,arriving by car. From the main road it it hard to find and I asked several times around but nobody knew them being the people who lodge pilgrims. But following the yellow waymarkers you cannot miss them.

 

[naplesdon]

They have no rivals on the CP and, yes, she should be considered for sainthood. To think night after night she cares for hungry and tired pilgrims, cooks us 3 meals, serves us her home made wine and gets the guitars and porto out for all to participate in the merriment until well past normal hours all for a simple donation. It is t he greatest place on earth to stay.
There are however a few places on the CF that deserve similar praise like Miguel and Simone's Casa Magica, Reb and Paddy's Peacable Kingdom, Maximillo and Mercedes' Molino Galochas and the newest one to add to the list, Amelia and Esperanza's Albergue Alea in Ponferrada.

 

[Former member 22438]

They have no rivals on the CP and, yes, she should be considered for sainthood. To think night after night she cares for hungry and tired pilgrims, cooks us 3 meals, serves us her home made wine and gets the guitars and porto out for all to participate in the merriment until well past normal hours all for a simple donation. It is t he greatest place on earth to stay.
There are however a few places on the CF that deserve similar praise like Miguel and Simone's Casa Magica, Reb and Paddy's Peacable Kingdom, Maximillo and Mercedes' Molino Galochas and the newest one to add to the list, Amelia and Esperanza's Albergue Alea in Ponferrada.
View attachment 13228

I presume the "other Saints " are not on the caminho Portuges.
None of them you mention sound familiar to me and I am only talking about what I encountered on this caminho Portuges but I bet and agree with you that there exist more Saints on the entire camiño

 

[Former member 22438]

They have no rivals on the CP and, yes, she should be considered for sainthood. To think night after night she cares for hungry and tired pilgrims, cooks us 3 meals, serves us her home made wine and gets the guitars and porto out for all to participate in the merriment until well past normal hours all for a simple donation. It is t he greatest place on earth to stay.
There are however a few places on the CF that deserve similar praise like Miguel and Simone's Casa Magica, Reb and Paddy's Peacable Kingdom, Maximillo and Mercedes' Molino Galochas and the newest one to add to the list, Amelia and Esperanza's Albergue Alea in Ponferrada.
View attachment 13228

Nice picture by the way. Very regognisable !

 

[Catharina56]

Mariana is the daughter of Fernanda and Jacinto. I guess she is about 14 years old

Thanks for the additional information. I have changed my post accordingly =)

 

[camino-david]

I have already written about them, but a couple of extra bits of information. Fernanda works fulltime at the post office in Barcelos and and on her way home after 5pm often finds tired and lost peregrinos and brings them to her home to stay. A true Samaritan. Fernando is an optician who comes home at lunchtime to cook lunch for any peregrinos and then goes back to work in the afternoon. And no one has mentioned the many bottles of port that are consumed during the communal dinner and after.

 

[Former member 22438]

I have already written about them, but a couple of extra bits of information. Fernanda works fulltime at the post office in Barcelos and and on her way home after 5pm often finds tired and lost peregrinos and brings them to her home to stay. A true Samaritan. Fernando is an optician who comes home at lunchtime to cook lunch for any peregrinos and then goes back to work in the afternoon. And no one has mentioned the many bottles of port that are consumed during the communal dinner and after.

Correct but last time in May 2014 we were there twice in one week, she told us she did not work any longer for the Post office and now stays home.

About their " winecard " they supply home made wine in red and white For after dinner a red portwine and for the " connaiseurs" an aguardent. Good stuff but not advisable if you have to be clear minded the next day. The stuff is so strong that putting it in the tank of a formula 1 racingcar you will be sure finnishing at least in third position or even better. More than 50 % proof ! Highly carburant stuff !

 

[Catharina56]

I have already written about them, but a couple of extra bits of information. Fernanda works fulltime at the post office in Barcelos and and on her way home after 5pm often finds tired and lost peregrinos and brings them to her home to stay. A true Samaritan. Fernando is an optician who comes home at lunchtime to cook lunch for any peregrinos and then goes back to work in the afternoon. And no one has mentioned the many bottles of port that are consumed during the communal dinner and after.

Fernanda OK, but Fernando??? On their metal plate on their home are mentioned the following names:
Fernanda, Jacinto and Mariana!!!! NO Fernando involved! =)

 

[Former member 22438]

Fernanda OK, but Fernando??? On their metal plate on their home are mentioned the following names:
Fernanda, Jacinto and Mariana!!!! NO Fernando involved! =)

I think camino David made a slip of the typing finger. It must be Fernanda. Happens to me very often. Small Iphone or Ipad keyboard.
I am to your left on the picture with a glass of water I think Ferdanda is next to me, Jacinto is next to her and at the right my wife Nel.

 

[Catharina56]

ha, ha or agua ardiente in your hand? Nice company. Hopefully I will be there soon =)

 

[mikevasey]

The homemade aguadiente is deceptively lethal, it is very smooth and has a slight orange/reddish blush when you hold the bottle up to the light. I was sat to the left of her at the dining table and she kept topping up my glasss, it would have been impolite to refuse.
When I woke up the next day I was still under the magic of the homemade brew, but had no hangover which told me it was a very clean spirit.

 

[Stephen Nicholls]

These lovely guys are mentioned in some detail in my 2011 diary "Pilgrimage I" on my web site.
A quick memory - it's donativo - I'd had supper, a private room, and breakfast with them - I put some money into Fernanda's hand. She shook her head, said "That's too much...." and gave me some back! It was the first ever albergue I'd stayed in. And the best.
Buen camino ... and if Fernanda or Jacinto read this, they will long have forgotten me, but I send them my thanks and love ....

 

[Former member 22438]

ha, ha or agua ardiente in your hand? Nice company. Hopefully I will be there soon =)

I definitively think it was water

 

[Former member 22438]

These lovely guys are mentioned in some detail in my 2011 diary "Pilgrimage I" on my web site.
A quick memory - it's donativo - I'd had supper, a private room, and breakfast with them - I put some money into Fernanda's hand. She shook her head, said "That's too much...." and gave me some back! It was the first ever albergue I'd stayed in. And the best.
Buen camino ... and if Fernanda or Jacinto read this, they will long have forgotten me, but I send them my thanks and love ....

Next year we will be back there and I will show them your picture Stephen. They never forget you
Best regards from this side of the British channel

By the way. We'll cross the channel 22nd of september visiting our relatives in Loughton Essex and stay some days in Poole Dorset

 

[Former member 22438]

The homemade aguadiente is deceptively lethal, it is very smooth and has a slight orange/reddish blush when you hold the bottle up to the light. I was sat to the left of her at the dining table and she kept topping up my glasss, it would have been impolite to refuse.
When I woke up the next day I was still under the magic of the homemade brew, but had no hangover which told me it was a very clean spirit.

We met a guy ,sitting next to us in a restaurant on the Lisbon to Porto leg who ordered a bottle of something.
After diner he went to sleep but gave me the bottle which was consumed for about 75%. It was 50 % proof aguardent. It was so strong that after one glass the holes felt into my socks
good gracious me ! Good stuff .

 

[amancio]

an amazing experience, this couple are absolutely adorable, she cooked a bean stew with cured sausages by her mother, the cabbage was from her mother too, the wine was their own.... the atmosphere is absolutely something else, the best experience in the camino, all my love and admiration to Fernanda and Jacinto!

 

[Former member 22438]

an amazing experience, this couple are absolutely adorable, she cooked a bean stew with cured sausages by her mother, the cabbage was from her mother too, the wine was their own.... the atmosphere is absolutely something else, the best experience in the camino, all my love and admiration to Fernanda and Jacinto!

The mother of Fernanda is maintaining Fernanda's garden and there own. She lives close by.most you get is out of Fernanda's garden.
Lovely people !

On the picture two German lady pilgrims and my wife Nel , preparing the diner, garden beans fresh "harvested" out of Fernanda's garden.

 

[Marjeta G]

Was just searching to find out, How far it is from Lisboa to Casa Fernanda by car and landed in the end here... I feel like being back in her house, at the kitchen table on an awful rainy day, as it was back in May 2013, when my husband and I have been the only guests at Fernandas house. We even were invited to sleep in the one Special room (that she only gives to couples ... if it was a joke? i don't know?) We have been treated like VIP's and had such a great evening with her, Jacinto and their daughter (sorry, forgot the Name). This place was definitely the best we have seen on our way from Porto tu Santiago. And we have seen only good places and have only had very good moments and met very helpful people on our 12 day on the camino. We just love the Portuguese - they are really friends of the peregrinos. Would go back tomorrow, if I had the time. This was our first camino, but it was such a great start on the pilgrim Topic.
Everyone that walks the camino - Casa Fernanda is a must!

 

[Former member 22438]

Was just searching to find out, How far it is from Lisboa to Casa Fernanda by car and landed in the end here... I feel like being back in her house, at the kitchen table on an awful rainy day, as it was back in May 2013, when my husband and I have been the only guests at Fernandas house. We even were invited to sleep in the one Special room (that she only gives to couples ... if it was a joke? i don't know?) We have been treated like VIP's and had such a great evening with her, Jacinto and their daughter (sorry, forgot the Name). This place was definitely the best we have seen on our way from Porto tu Santiago. And we have seen only good places and have only had very good moments and met very helpful people on our 12 day on the camino. We just love the Portuguese - they are really friends of the peregrinos. Would go back tomorrow, if I had the time. This was our first camino, but it was such a great start on the pilgrim Topic.
Everyone that walks the camino - Casa Fernanda is a must!

From Lisbon by car it is about 400 kms to Vilhadiz where Fernanda lives with her husband Jacinto and her daughter Mariana.
You were lucky (or not) to be alone in their home. 3 weeks ago we were there as hospitalero's and every night it was full house. 26 pilgrims every night and one night 9 nationalities.
They have 10 beds in the gardenhouse, a separate room for a couple or relatives, called the Penguin room.
At the backside of the gardenhouse is an other room, only for privat guests of the family. We slept in it.
In the house is one bedroom with double bed special for couples and another room also for couples. Both rooms share one privat bathroom. In the gardenhouse are 2 bathrooms with showers

Advised is to give Fernanda a call ahead and make your reservation. If you do not there is a big chance that you find a full house.
Tel.+351 914 589 521

 

[Marjeta G]

Thanks Alberthino. First we have installed ourselves in the gardenhouse, but then she wanted us to move in the house - the room next to the kitchen. Honestly, we have really enjoyed the exclusiveness having the hosts for ourselves, but had imagened how it is with the table and kitchen filled with people from everywhere. It must be wonderful. We will definitely call, if we decide to go up there as September is probably still busy on the camino.

 

[Former member 22438]

I also like to advise some other great places

Monasteiro de Vairāo in Vairão nearby Porto Airport , Pedra Furada 6 kms past Rates and refuxio de la Jerezána in Cessantes just outside Redondela.
Because we walked different caminhos this time most of the places we slept were hostals and hotels but these mentioned places were great to stay.

 

[KylieM]

These stories about Casa de Fernanda tipped me over to walk the Interior route instead of the Coastal. I can't wait to meet them!

 

[Seamus O'Dubaigh]

I have to say that we were sooo lucky to decide to stay with Fernanda and Jacinto!
Walking from Pedra Furada it takes 30 km.
They are the lovliest people and it was ever so nice to stay at their house. We spent a lovely evening together, Fernanda, who also works in Barcelos, cooked a lovely meal, we ate together, had nice chat and it was like HOME.

They are one of the nicest Portuguese couples and we would recommend to everyone to stay there!

On the top of that they don't ask for money, just some donation, what you can afford.
HOw nice is that??! Where can you find this kind of generosity nowdays?

We were lucky enough to find it!


K

Hello -- Our group of three -- father and adult daughters -- are traveling from Pedra Furada to Casa Fernanda this weekend, and using Brierly's distances, it looks like 25-26 km. Does any know different?

 

[Geraldine Quilter]

These stories about Casa de Fernanda tipped me over to walk the Interior route instead of the Coastal. I can't wait to meet them!

Is it possible to do a bit of the coastal route and the head inland so as to be able to stay at Casa Fernanda?

 

[Former member 22438]

Yes you can. We did it the other way round last May.

We walked the central route from Porto Airport to Fernanda (Vairão-Rates -Barcelos-Fernanda) and then went to Viana do Castello and walked the coastal to Vigo/Redondela to hit the central again to Santiago

You could do it the other way round. Walk from Porto to Viana do Castelo and take the train to Barroselas .maybe there is a bus to Balugaēs . From there it is an about 4 kms walk ,waymarked to Casa Fernanda.

Why "maybe"? I do not know... There are buses in that area.
Fernanda and Jacinto are friends of us . We helped them as hospitaleiros for some days and after that Jacinto took us to Viana do Castelo by car from where we continued walking.
On my annexed first vid at the end an impression of Casa Fernanda.

We will find out how to travel to the coast by public transport at the end of this year when we are going back to Fernanda .

Bom caminho

 

[KylieM]

I just recently got home from my camino starting in Porto. On the advice of veterans like Albertinho, I changed my plans to walk the Coastal, and did one stage from Porto to Vila do Conde, then at the next stage turned inland, only to have the opportunity to stay with Fernanda and Jacinto. I didn't realize that it would be so busy, and I didn't book ahead. I met some pilgrims in Barcelos who told me it was already full.

I was disappointed beyond belief, and mostly mad at myself that I hadn't thought to book 2 days earlier. 3 of the people I walked with that day would be staying at their place. One of them told me to just call to check, which I did and found out that yes indeed they were full that night. More bitter disappointment.

Then one of our walking group found a four leaf clover and gave it to me for luck. An hour later someone from Casa de Fernanda called me back. "You are walking with the Dutch couple, no?", "Yes, and a German girl too, they are all staying there." I answered. "Then just come, come with them, we will find something for you, no problem. See you soon!"

Within the hour we had arrived. A group of 4 Italians had booked, but no-one had seen them along the way. Fernanda had a feeling that they wouldn't show (and they didn't) so that meant I had a bed!

We showered, washed our clothes and sat in the warm sun, playing with the cats, and with a cold beer and some tasty fish cakes that appeared magically on the table. That night after some seriously good sardines and beef stew, and boiled potatoes and verges, and some singing of variable talents from us guests, Fernanda and Jacinto sang us some local songs which were powerful and haunting, while we worked on the array of alcoholic schnapps-type beverages that Jacinto plied us with. It was a wonderful night... We all yawned our full bellies back to the room outside, and fell into a sweet and comfortable sleep.

I am so glad that I was able to meet this beautiful and loving couple who obviously enjoy meeting and hosting the world in their kitchen. They are truly gorgeous and inspirational people! I would advise anyone walking the CP to try to stay with them, you will not regret it!

Cheers; KylieM.

 

[Marvin Oates]

You can see where it is here:
http://www.urcamino.com/caminoportugues ... dafernanda

anyway, it is not so easy to find, it is a private house like many others, with a little sign near the gate with written "Casa Fernanda", on your left while you walk.

But... it is a real camino experience, I suggest everyone to stop there.
It is real hospitality like in the past: Fernanda opens her house to the pilgrims, like they were part of her family (there are husband and little daughter too) and she asks for a Donativo, you pay whatever you think is ok to have dinner, breakfast, sleep in a real bed with linen!!!!!
And be blessed with her love! To me this is... priceless!!!

I have just walked from Porto to Santiago and this is the only place where I got the Camino-Love-Feeling, whilst in the Camino Frances I could find it in some more places. (but no place like this, a person who hosts you in her house, no!!!)

Well done Fernanda!!!!

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[Tom McAlister]

Hi All totally agree with all the posts, This couple are super special folk. Jacinta should be a saint, when i rang ahead, she told me they were full. BUT she said come anyway we will find somewhere for you, Yes gave us their own bed, beers on arrival plus fantastic dinner with wines, big singalong party, breakfast next morning
and would not take money. You donate in the box yourself, what you can afford or are prepared to give back.
Her example of giving is truly an unforgetable experience , we were so lucky to have stayed there .
they are amazing people, i hope all that stay there GIVE BACK euros and not be tight,
Unfortuatly we experience some well healed Dutch walkers who ripped her off. not the spirit of the trail.
We LOVE her and her family, will never forget her. She epitomises the christain expample to a tee
Tom McAlister Perth WA